Description: As with other population groups, the elderly can be identified in MEPS-HC; and their expenditures, prescription drug usage, and utilization can be analyzed. In addition to the tables and publications below, data files can be downloaded for further analyses.

MEPS stopped collecting institutionalized care information after the 1996 Nursing Home Component was fielded. However, data for all home health events are collected as one type of medical event.

Additional health care information on the elderly is available in the National Healthcare Disparities Report.

Data tables: Age categories are available in most HC Summary Data Tables. For tables that can be customized, you can select a population based on age and/or define the age groupings as desired. No specific tables on long-term care or care of the elderly are produced.

Analytic tools: You can use the MEPSnet/HC query tool to generate your own tables with breakouts by age.